Reconfigurable Machine Tool: Methodology of RMT Design

Reconfigurable Machine Tool (RMT) is the active issue to realize both the flexibility and productivity of manufacturing systems and satisfy the mass-customization production. The purpose of this paper is to present a RMT design methodology. Specifically, the part analysis and the RMT architectural modelling. The method of RMT design is focused on a simultaneous machining process using multi-spindle in a single RMT. Based on the concept of machining features, the process data, retrieved as a starting point in identifying various functions necessary to carry out a given part family, are displayed. Moreover, geometrical and kinematical architectures of RMT are defined as a result of the specification of all manufacturing processes of features to be machined. Where, all architectural solutions and the criterions related to select the suited solution are presented. Our methodology presents all activities allowing to pass from machining features of part to be machined to the structure of RMT.